SUBSCRIBELatest ResearchCase StudiesFeaturesColumnsProfileWorkshopsPast issuesEditorial BoardAdvertiseResourcesAbout Us |
Is the guillotine the only cure for grey hair?
|
Next
My father used to tell me that age wasn’t a physical condition, it was a state of mind. And I believed him. I had no reason to doubt it – until I was presented with some of the results from John Neugebauer’s research on age discrimination (page 12) and its relation to talent management featured in this issue’s cover story. It’s not happy reading but I hope it offers an insight into the current situation, along with some pointers to show how we can make the most of an individual’s longevity and experience, and retain the value it adds to our organisations.
In our workshop authored by Ali Gill (page 25), she suggests that senior executives can act as inspiring role models and, given the right circumstances, can spur those employees who have been classified as ‘talent’ to achieve new heights.
So, can the UK’s corporate culture really be so biased against any individual sporting a sprig of grey hair? With enterprises around the globe experiencing a talent crisis, one would assume that organisations would be doing all they can to cling on to the talent they already have – and can develop. It would seem unwise to make decisions on people’s future and ability based on their age alone, since individual capabilities are so inherently different that it would inevitably be inaccurate.
Gordon Brown’s ‘government of all talents’, after all, was heralded as the new face of politics – a younger face of politics. But given the recent fiascos in Brown’s leadership perhaps he would have done well to heed to former Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell’s mantra that with age comes experience and with experience comes judgement.
It seems that with such a narrow margin between the policy principles of the two leading political parties that, even in this arena, age has become a focus. As Sir Ronald Cohen, one of Brown’s most trusted advisers, recently said: “There’s not much difference between the two parties now; it comes down to a choice between the guy who’s experienced and the younger one.” Experience or youth, which do you choose? Katie Pattullo Editor |
Client Login
E-newsletterSign up to our FREE e-newsletter now !! Search Site |
